Tobago Cays and Bequia

From Union Island we headed over to the Tobago Cays where we stayed for two nights. Everything that can be said about the Cays has probably already been said either by us or by Julie but it is still a beautiful place to lay down an anchor. It was even better this time because there were not a lot of boats there - mostly charters - so we didn't have to worry about other boats swinging or dragging anchor or whatever. We also didn't need to take as much care about mad "dinghyists" roaring around. We took some time and snorkelled again in the turtle area and this trip spent some time exploring the reef. It was great snorkelling as usual although the turtle area was a bit murky this time, likely due to boat boys bringing people into the roped off area from the yachts so they could snorkel off the beach.

Griff swimming with the turtles

Colourful reef fish

We decided to only stay two nights as there was a lot of wind chop which roughened up the water a bit for swimming. Cheryl has started to swim around the boat 12 times each day for exercise and the more choppy, the more un-nice it is. One of the good things about the Cays is your are exposed to the full east wind without experiencing the easterly swells. The down side is that the full east wind usually produces lots of wind chop - at least whenever we have been there (3 times now - wow).

So, on to Bequia. By the way, as short as it was, the sail to the Cays from Union was great - good wind and good seas - and that proved true for the trip to Bequia. We came out of the Cays via Baleine Rocks and then passed Canuoan on the west side so that we would have good winds the whole trip. Cheryl even passed the boat in front of us - super sailing. We got to Bequia in good time and anchored off Princess Margaret Beach. We stayed well back this time. Before we would have to get a little closer to town so that we would have internet but with our new wifi rig we are able to get it practically anywhere within a couple of miles. We only stayed at Bequia 2 nights - mostly for laundry, a bit of shopping, got a guy we had used before to do some work on a pump that I couldn't figure out (a spare) and then we also had to clear out of St Vincent and the Grenadines. We did a bit of walking around but since we had seen everything we had wanted to on previous visits, it was mostly an anchor drop and lift.

Princess Margaret Beach

Onward northward!!!!